March 14, 2010

Breaking Open The Scriptures

Scriptures for March 14th – Joshua 5:9-12; Psalm 32 – UMH 766; 2 Corinthians 5:16-21; Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32. Songs: Softly and Tenderly Jesus is calling – UMH 348; Alas! And Did My Savior Bleed – UMH 294; My Life is in You, Lord – TFWS 2032

Psalm 32
As Methodist, we are reminded that the important part of our life is holiness. Making a decision to become disciples of Christ and to not only hear the word – but to live the word. The writer of psalm 32 reminds us that the blessings of God come to this in which there is not deceit. Those who decide to live a righteous life. None of us are perfect, we are all sinners. We are all striving for perfection. We all need to ask God forgiveness. One evangelist says that your sin will always find you out – your job is to make sure that it finds you in the bosom of God; trusting and asking forgiveness.

2 Corinthians
The Epistle lesson continues on the theme of reconciliation with God. Christ came into the world so that the everyone would have a chance to get right with God. Christ spelled out how we should live, and if we are willing to accept and follow those teaching, then we are on the right pathway to improving our relationship with God. That is what it means to become a disciple of Christ. As a United Methodist disciple, we understand that changing our ways, changes the world. We not only transform ourselves, we transform ourselves. Why would God sacrifice his son for such a purpose – because we are all sons and daughters.

Questions:
What does reconciliation mean to you? When you know you have strayed from the beaten path, what do you do to get right with God? Has someone else ever had to correct you to remind you that you are straying? How did you respond? Where you grateful or spiteful to them? What role does Christ’s teachings play in your faith? How are you transforming the world?